New to welding, critique me please

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Hi,I have a sheet metal welding project that needs done.  So I decided I would try to learn to weld and see iffin I couldn't tackle it myself.  I've always wanted to learn to weld.  I played with it a little bit years back with a flux core rig, but I mostly burned holes and went crooked.  Last week I picked up a very clean used Miller 140.  I really wanted to get the 211 so I could do about anything I'd ever get into, but I'll have to save some more.  It came with a C25 bottle, and a big spool of 0.030 on it.  I am using some 16ga square pipe scraps.So, I just went at it for awhile, and now I guess the best way to improve is to get help from those in the know.  I wish I could take a local class, but right now it doesn't fit into my schedule or budget.  Here is where I am at, let me know what I can do to improve.  Fire away!  (The ones that different than the others were done by my 8 year old.)#1 - Top: Me-horizontal, middle: 8yr old, bottom: Me-vertical down  #2 - Top: horizontal, middle: lap-vertical down, bottom: vertical down#3 - Horizontal #4 - Horizontal - last weld I did, bottom: more 8 yr old beadsFinally, a few questions.  Is there a norm for how long a bead is run between starts and stops?  What is the best technique for stopping and starting without any gaps or buildup of the weld?  What is the best way to end your weld so that it doesn't burn away or finish shallower than the rest of the bead.Thank you so much for the input!
Reply:Looks pretty damn good to me. ****. Wow.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by pmspaul Is there a norm for how long a bead is run between starts and stops?
Reply:Originally Posted by pmspaulFinally, a few questions.  Is there a norm for how long a bead is run between starts and stops?
Reply:@ Gamble: Thanks for the kind words.@ Baila: Thanks for the tips!  I was trying to backstep, looks like I just need to keep at it.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWA few general notes about what I see. In general the welds look pretty good for someone starting out. Learn to weld vertical up rather than vertical down. Vertical down is good for thin sheetmetal, but not for heavier materials. you get more penetration with vert up and small migs have issues with low penetration as it is. Your welds are way too large for the material you are welding. For a filet weld like a T, you want the weld usually no thicker than maybe 1 to 1 1/2 times the thinner metal. So for 16 ga or 1/16", your fillet would be 1/16" on each side (leg) to maybe 3/32" per leg. With thin sheet thats tougher to do, but you will want to keep the beads there as small as possible. More weld is often more damaging in many cases than less weld because of the damge caused by the excess heat.